Using Mobile Phone-based Text Message to Recruit Representative Samples: Assessment of a Cross-Sectional Survey about the COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitation.

Background: Limited research has examined mobile phone-based platforms for survey recruitment, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil. Our objective was to investigate the feasibility and representativeness of mobile phone-based advertisement during a preliminary study about COVID-19 vaccine hesitation in Brazil. Moreover, we evaluate whether the older population can be reached through mobile phone-based platforms of the survey. Methods: We conducted a study in December 2021 based on a preliminary survey about the COVID-19 vaccine hesitation in Assis, Brazil, Sao Paulo state. From a list of the adult population hesitant for the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, we sent a mobile phone-based advertisement inviting the participants to answer the survey for one week. The respondent's data were collected in a Google form platform. The comparison between the target population and the respondents was made using the Chi-squared test and the Welch's test, using a P-value of .05 as significative. Results: The response rate was 9.99% after one week. The mean age of the respondent group was 33.97 (SD 14.99) and 35.05 (SD 14.19) of the population, with a P-value of .192 and a Cohen's d coefficient of 0.0754, corresponding to a small effect size between groups. We demonstrate that the mobile phone-based survey is a feasible and representative strategy during the pandemics in Brazil. Moreover, the older population respondent was representative. Conclusion: We achieved a representative sample of respondents using the mobile phone-based survey in Brazil. Furthermore, it was representative in all sociodemographic and health characteristics assessed. Finally, these findings suggest the method is a highly feasible and economical means of recruiting for survey research.

Feasibility of Combining Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation and Active Fully Embodied Virtual Reality for Visual Height Intolerance: A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Study

Background: Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) and Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy (VRET) are individually increasingly used in psychiatric research. Objective/Hypothesis: Our study aimed to investigate the feasibility of combining tDCS and VRET with the features of wireless, 360° full immersion and embodiment and an active task to reduce height-induced anxiety. Methods: We carried out a pilot randomized, double-blind, controlled study associating VRET (two 20 min sessions with a 48 h interval, during which, participants had to cross a plank at rising heights in a building in construction) with online tDCS (targeting the ventromedial prefrontal cortex) with 28 participants. The primary outcomes were the sense of presence level and the tolerability. The secondary outcomes were the anxiety level (Subjective Unit of Discomfort) and the salivary cortisol concentration. Results: We confirmed the feasibility of the association between tDCS and fully embodied VRET associated with a good sense of presence without noticeable adverse effects. In both groups, a significant reduction in the fear of height was observed after two sessions, with only a small effect size of add-on tDCS (0.1) according to the SUD. The variations of cortisol concentration differed in the tDCS and sham groups. Conclusion: Our study confirmed the feasibility of the association between wireless online tDCS and active, fully embodied VRET. The optimal tDCS paradigm remains to be determined in this context to increase effect size and then adequately power future clinical studies assessing synergies between both techniques.

Effectiveness of Dance-Based Interventions on Depression for Persons With MCI and Dementia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: There is a growing need to offer appropriate services to persons with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia who are faced with depression and anxiety distresses beyond traditional pharmacological treatment. Dance-based interventions as multi-dimensional interventions address persons' physical, emotional, social, and spiritual aspects of well-being. However, no meta-analysis of randomized controlled treatment trials (RCTs) has examined the effectiveness of dance-based interventions on depression and anxiety among persons with MCI and dementia, and the results of RCTs are inconsistent. The study aimed to examine the effectiveness of dance-based interventions on depression (a primary outcome) and anxiety (a secondary outcome) among persons with MCI and dementia.Methods: A systematic review with meta-analysis was conducted. The inclusion criteria were: population: people of all ages with MCI and dementia; intervention: dance-based interventions; control group: no treatment, usual care, or waiting list group; outcome: depression and anxiety; study design: published or unpublished RCTs. Seven electronic databases (Cochrane, PsycINFO, Web of Science, PubMed, EBSCO, CNKI, WanFang) were searched from 1970 to March 2021. Grey literature and reference lists from relevant articles were also searched and reviewed. The Cochrane “Risk of Bias” tool was used to assess study quality. RevMan 5.4 was used for meta-analysis and heterogeneity was investigated by subgroup and sensitivity analysis. GRADE was applied to assess the evidence quality of depression and anxiety outcomes.Results: Five randomized controlled trials were identified. Sample sizes ranged from 21 to 204. The risk of bias was low, except for being rated as high or unclear for most included studies in two domains: allocation concealment, blinding participants and personnel. Meta-analysis of depression outcome showed no heterogeneity (I2 = 0%), indicating that the variation in study outcomes did not influence the interpretation of results. There were significant differences in decreasing depression in favor of dance-based interventions compared with controls [SMD = −0.42, 95% CI (−0.60, −0.23), p < 0.0001] with a small effect size (Cohen's d = 0.3669); Compared with the post-intervention data, the follow-up data indicated diminishing effects (Cohen's d = 0.1355). Dance-based interventions were more effective in reducing depression for persons with dementia than with those having MCI, and were more effective with the delivery frequency of 1 h twice a week than 35 min 2–3 times a week. Also, one included RCT study showed no significant benefit on anxiety rating scores, which demonstrated small effect sizes at 6 weeks and 12 weeks (Cohen's d = 0.1378, 0.1675, respectively). GRADE analysis indicated the evidence quality of depression was moderate, and the evidence quality of anxiety was low.Conclusions: Dance-based interventions are beneficial to alleviate depression among persons with MCI and dementia. More trials of high quality, large sample sizes are needed to gain more profound insight into dance-based interventions, such as their effects of alleviating anxiety, and the best approaches to perform dance-based interventions.

Arab Women Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet and Insomnia

Background and objective: Sleeping difficulties affect the overall health, nutrition, and wellbeing. The Mediterranean diet has proven effective in improving the quality of life and overall health of people of all ages. Therefore, this study aimed to determine whether adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD) is linked to reduced insomnia in Arabic-speaking female adults in Jordan. Materials and Methods: A self-administered, cross-sectional survey was used to detect the relationship between MD and sleep quality in Arabic-speaking female adults. Data were collected from 917 Arabic-speaking female participants of 14 Arab nationalities in Jordan between March and May 2021 via social media. All participants answered the whole questionnaire, including questions on sociodemographic aspects, Mediterranean diet adherence, sleeping habits measured with the Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS), and lifestyle components such as smoking and dietary patterns. Results: The mean age of the 917 Arabic-speaking female participants was 36 ± 10 years. Most participants were unemployed (85%) single females (64%) with an undergraduate degree (74%). Most of them (86%) were non-smokers. More than half of the participants were Jordanians (57%). The BMI was normal for 52% of the participants, whereas 26% of them were overweight, and 12% were obese. One-way ANCOVA showed a statistically significant difference between MD adherence score categories and AIS, F (2, 914) = 3.36, p = 0.015. Among the MD adherence score categories, we found that between groups, MD scores above or equal to 10 were associated with a statistically significant difference in AIS. Cohen’s value was calculated for the three MD score categories and indicated a ‘small’ effect size association between all adherence scores of the MD categories and AIS. Conclusions: In conclusion, our findings provide preliminary evidence that participants’ adherence to the MD was significantly associated with better sleep and reduced insomnia symptoms, highlighting the need for further research.

The Similarities and Differences Between Glomerular vs. Non-glomerular Diagnoses on Intelligence and Executive Functions in Pediatric Chronic Kidney Disease: A Brief Report

Pediatric chronic kidney disease (CKD) appears to be a heterogeneous group of conditions, but this heterogeneity has not been explored with respect to its impact on neurocognitive functioning. This study investigated the neurocognitive functioning of those with glomerular (G) vs. non-glomerular (NG) diagnoses. Data from the North American CKiD Study were employed and the current study included 1,003 children and adolescents with mild to moderate CKD. The G Group included 260 participants (median age = 14.7 years) and the NG Group included 743 individuals (median age = 9.0 years). Neurocognitive measures assessed IQ, inhibitory control, attention regulation, problem solving, working memory, and overall executive functioning. Data from all visits were included in the linear mixed model analyses. After adjusting for sociodemographic and CKD-related covariates, results indicated no differences between the diagnostic groups on measures of IQ, problem solving, working memory, and attention regulation. There was a trend for the G group to receive better parent ratings on their overall executive functions (p < 0.07), with a small effect size being present. Additionally, there was a significant G group X hypertension interaction (p < 0.003) for inhibitory control, indicating that those with both a G diagnosis and hypertension performed more poorly than the NG group with hypertension. These findings suggest that the separation of G vs. NG CKD produced minimal, but specific group differences were observed. Ongoing examination of the heterogeneity of pediatric CKD on neurocognition, perhaps at a different time point in disease progression or using a different model, appears warranted.

Verbal Learning as a predictor of risks of accidents in elderly drivers

ABSTRACT Background: Age-related cognitive decline impacts cognitive abilities essential for driving. Objective: We aimed to measure main cognitive functions associated with a high number of traffic violations in different driving settings. Methods: Thirty-four elderly individuals, aged between 65 and 90 years, were evaluated with a driving simulator in four different settings (Intersection, Overtaking, Rain, and Malfunction tasks) and underwent a battery of cognitive tests, including memory, attention, visuospatial, and cognitive screening tests. Individuals were divided into two groups: High-risk driving (HR, top 20% of penalty points) and normal-risk driving (NR). Non-parametric group comparison and regression analysis were performed. Results: The HR group showed higher total driving penalty score compared to the NR group (median=29, range= 9-44 vs. median=61, range= 47-97, p<0.001). The HR group showed higher penalty scores in the Intersection task (p<0.001) and the Overtaking and Rain tasks (p<0.05 both). The verbal learning score was significantly lower in the HR group (median=33, range=12-57) compared with the NR group (median=38, range=23-57, p<0.05), and it was observed that this score had the best predictive value for worse driving performance in the regression model. General cognitive screening tests (Mini-Mental State Examination and Addenbrooke's Cognitive Evaluation) were similar between the groups (p>0.05), with a small effect size (Cohen’s d=0.3 both). Conclusion: The verbal learning score may be a better predictor of driving risk than cognitive screening tests. High-risk drivers also showed significantly higher traffic driving penalty scores in the Intersection, Overtaking, and Rain tests.

Is Homeopathic Arnica Effective for Postoperative Recovery? A Meta-analysis of Placebo-Controlled and Active Comparator Trials

Background: Homeopathic Arnica montana is used in surgery as prevention or treatment for the reduction of pain and other sequelae of surgery. Our aim was to perform a metaanalysis of clinical trials to assess efficacy of Arnica montana to reduce the inflammatory response after surgery.Method: We conducted a systematic review and metaanalysis, following a predefined protocol, of all studies on the use of homeopathic Arnica montana in surgery. We included all randomized and nonrandomized studies comparing homeopathic Arnica to a placebo or to another active comparator and calculated two quantitative metaanalyses and appropriate sensitivity analyses. We used “Hegde's g,” an effect size estimator which is equivalent to a standardized mean difference corrected for small sample bias. The PROSPERO registration number is CRD42020131300.Results: Twenty-three publications reported on 29 different comparisons. One study had to be excluded because no data could be extracted, leaving 28 comparisons. Eighteen comparisons used placebo, nine comparisons an active control, and in one case Arnica was compared to no treatment. The metaanalysis of the placebo-controlled trials yielded an overall effect size of Hedge's g = 0.18 (95% confidence interval −0.007/0.373; p = 0.059). Active comparator trials yielded a highly heterogeneous significant effect size of g = 0.26. This is mainly due to the large effect size of nonrandomized studies, which converges against zero in the randomized trials.Conclusion: Homeopathic Arnica has a small effect size over and against placebo in preventing excessive hematoma and other sequelae of surgeries. The effect is comparable to that of anti-inflammatory substances.

ON SENSITIVITY TO GLARE AND ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH MACULAR PIGMENT

Current trends in discomfort glare research have suggested the influence of physiological parameters on individual glare perception. To this end, we hypothesize that a specific ocular physiology characteristic, namely the macular pigment (MP) in the retina, could have an influence on glare sensitivity, encouraged by recent findings from the literature that have shown that high MP levels were indicative of better visual performance. This study investigates whether a person’s sensitivity to glare could be somehow correlated to their macular pigment optical density (MPOD). We measured MPOD in 56 participants and compared it with their discomfort glare thresholds, which were determined psychophysically by exposing the participants to a series of lighting conditions varying in intensity. We found that the influence of MPOD on glare sensitivity is borderline significant with small effect size but does not follow intuition. Additional data will be required to validate and refine these initial findings.

Effects of low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in adductor laryngeal dystonia: a safety, feasibility, and pilot study

Purpose The effects of neuromodulation are virtually unexplored in adductor laryngeal dystonia (AdLD), a disorder characterized by involuntary contraction of intrinsic laryngeal muscles. Recent findings indicated that intracortical inhibition is reduced in people with AdLD. Low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) induces prolonged intracortical inhibition, but the effects in AdLD are unexplored. This pilot and feasibility study aimed to examine the safety, feasibility, and effects of a single session 1 Hz rTMS over the laryngeal motor cortex (LMC) in people with AdLD and healthy individuals. Methods The stimulation location was individualized and determined through TMS-evoked responses in the thyroarytenoid muscles using fine-wire electrodes. 1200 pulses of 1 Hz rTMS were delivered to the left LMC in two groups: Control (n = 6) and AdLD (n = 7). Tolerance, adverse effects, intracortical inhibition, and voice recordings were collected immediately before and after rTMS. Voice quality was assessed with acoustic-based and auditory-perceptual measures. Results All participants tolerated the procedures, with no unexpected adverse events or worsening of symptoms. No significant effects on intracortical inhibition were observed. In the AdLD group, there was a large-effect size after rTMS in vocal perturbation measures and a small-effect size in decreased phonatory breaks. Conclusions One rTMS session over the LMC is safe and feasible, and demonstrated trends of beneficial effects on voice quality and phonatory function in AdLD. These preliminary findings support further investigation to assess clinical benefits in a future randomized sham-controlled trial. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02957942, registered on November 8, 2016.

Using Drosophila to Identify Naturally-Occurring Modifiers of Alzheimer's Disease

Despite significant progress in identifying risk factors for late-onset Alzheimer’s Disease (LOAD), much of the variance in disease pathogenesis remains unexplained, likely due to the contribution of many genes of small effect size. Model organisms such as Drosophila Melanogaster exhibit conservation in both disease-causing genes and cellular processes implicated in Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), offering a genetically tractable model that can be statistically leveraged to identify causal variants. Here, we combine a Drosophila model of AD with the Drosophila Genetic Reference Panel (DGRP), a model of natural variation consisting of over 200 fully sequenced, isogenic lines derived from a wild-caught population. Expression of two proteins closely associated with AD pathogenesis, A□42 and Tau, in the Drosophila eye results in a “rough eye” phenotype, an easily quantifiable phenotype caused by degeneration of the ommatidial array. By quantifying the degree of A□42- and Tau-mediated degeneration across 164 lines of the DGRP and using a gene-based approach to map associations, we have identified and validated a subset of naturally occurring modifiers of degeneration in Drosophila. Enrichment analysis reveals that the set of genes identified in our screen show significant enrichment for genes identified as significant or suggestive (4x10-6&gt;p&gt;2x10-11) in human GWAS studies. The results presented here provide proof-of-principal for an approach that combines the strengths of forward genetic screens in model organisms with the power of human GWAS studies to identify and validate potential risk factors that have been difficult to detect in human studies alone.